Capello certainly puts out a team to keep hold of the ball. That much is certain, and against Croatia, England did that far better than they have done for a number of years. We also know that he has come to terms with the fact that good as Wayne Rooney is, he mustn't play up front on his own, and is much better in the slightly withdrawn "Number 10" as the continentals term it. David James is not the answer to England's goalkeeping question, his decision making is still too unpredictable - plus by the time the next world cup comes around he'll be approx 40 - and we all remember Peter Shilton in 1990....
Finally we've learned, as I think I may have mentioned a few times now, that John Terry has been living on his reputation for far too long. After being turned by the scoring machine that is Milan Baros against the Czechs, Terry was again made to look a lumbering oaf against Croatia. His appalling dying swan act after Modric beat him to the ball for the Croat goal (and Terry pulled out of the challenge) looked like the last act of a man who sees the game is passing him by. He should consider how to get back to the form which made him one of Europe's most admired centre halves, rather than the man who now puts a glint in the eye of the striker who finds themselves playing against him. I'm sure Scolari will have some ideas, but Terry should start watching those videos of the Mourinho side of 3 years ago for an idea of who he was.
Which leads us to the conundrum who should lead England. Frank Lampard gave one of his better performances for England recently, but surely isn't enough to keep Gerrard out. Barry seems to be a fixture, as well as Stevie G's new best friend, so it seems he's in. Rio Ferdinand is a certainty, so I'd say it should be between the Liverpool and United players. Gerrard's inspirational displays for Liverpool should tip the scales in his favour - I've never seen a centre half run the game like Gerrard can.
Until the next England display kills all optimism, I for one might fancy watching England again - having turned away from the second half of the Andorra debacle, I was impressed by an away performance against a side with a fairly fearsome reputation.
Either we're now back into the group of favourites for the world cup, or it's another false dawn. You never know with England. Despite us including 8 players from the "best 2 teams in Europe" last season, we cannot seem to find that consistency.
Come on Fabio, keep the English end up for more than just 1 game.
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